If you’re like me, sometimes you want a game that won’t hog your time or distract you too much. You want to see something grow or move along in the background while you work, do chores, or just check social media. That’s where cozy desktop companions and idle games come in. They keep you company, let you feel a sense of progress, and don’t demand all your focus. It’s like having a friend quietly sitting with you while you do other tasks.
And if you’ve tried Rusty’s Retirement, you know how nice the experience is to have your little farm at the bottom of your screen! But maybe now you’re looking for alternaties ? Below, we’ve rounded up a list of games that fit this idea: little gems that can run on your screen while you go about your day.
Rusty’s Retirement
First, let’s talk about Rusty’s Retirement.
Rusty’s Retirement is an idle farming simulator that sits quietly on your screen while you do other things. You grow various crops and help Rusty harvest them at just the right time. As you play you can even zoom out for less distraction or activate Focus Mode to slow crop growth if you need more concentration. And if you have a wide screen, you can even choose to switch to vertical mode to run a tall, narrow farm on the side of your screen.
After its launch, Rusty’s Retirement met a very warm welcome and received many, many positive reviews. And for a good reason: it took the now usual cute and cozy farm sim that everyone likes (Stardew Valley anyone?) and put it at the bottom of our screens! Who could say no to this!?
So if you’re the sort of person who likes to keep something fun running while you work or watch videos, and haven’t tried it yet, Rusty’s Retirement might be perfect for you. Picture a cute little robot, Rusty, tending to crops at the bottom of your screen. You can glance at it between emails or homework, and see him happily watering carrots or harvesting tomatoes. It brings that cozy “I’m making progress even when I’m busy” feeling.
It’s especially nice if you want a game you can dip in and out of. Let’s say you’re on a busy work call—Rusty will keep chugging along, making sure your plants don’t wilt. That’s something I love about idle games!
What Are Idle Games?
An idle game, sometimes called an incremental game, is basically your laid-back gaming buddy. You set up a few things—like planting crops or building a small town—then let the game do the heavy lifting while you step away. It doesn’t demand your full attention. You can leave it running as you catch up on chores, chat with friends, or even watch your favorite TV show. When you come back, you often find you’ve earned currency or leveled up somehow.
For busy people, this can be super satisfying. I personally love it! It’s nice to see progress even when I’m focusing on something else. If you ever want a sense of achievement without spending hours staring at your screen, an idle game might just become your new best friend.
What Are Desktop Companions?
A desktop companion is as its name says : a companion hanging out on your computer screen. It’s basically a small application or game that sticks to the side or bottom of your monitor while you work or browse the internet or work.
Think of it as a cozy pet who doesn’t require too much attention, but is happy to keep you company when you need a break. If you’ve ever felt your desktop looked too empty or you just needed a small, pleasant distraction, a desktop companion game can be that cheerful friend you didn’t know you needed. One of the most popular ones that came out recently is the object of this article: Rusty’s Retirement! It can be called a “desktop companion game”. 🙂
Games similar to Rusty’s Retirement
Ropuka’s Idle Island
Ropuka’s Idle Island is a super cute idle desk companion. It is similar to Rusty’s Retirement, but even less invasive (in my opinion). The idea is simple: you have a tiny frog on your desktop and watch it care for its little island. The frog cuts grass to earn currency, which you can use to upgrade and decorate the place. It’s fun to grow your island while you do other tasks, making it perfect for people like me who enjoy a laid-back experience.
Price tag: $3-4
My Little Life
My Little Life puts a small character at the bottom of your screen who quietly goes about their day. There are no surprise pop-ups or urgent tasks. You can focus on your own work and make important choices only when you feel like it. It’s like having a virtual buddy living its own life right alongside yours. It’s not tagged as an idle game though, so you’ll have to actively take care of it to see growth!
Price tag: $5~
Desktopia
Desktopia is a game to check out if you love building towns. This game places a medieval-like village across the bottom of your screen. You can step in to fight battles or gather resources, or simply let the town run on its own. If you like flexible gameplay, where you can be hands-on or hands-off, Desktopia is a nice fit.
Price tag: $10~
Tuin
Tuin is all about planting seeds, pulling weeds, and making a profit from your harvest. The game grows with you as you add more plots, new plants, and even automate parts of your farm. It’s a friendly idle experience that keeps things light and rewarding.
Note: There’s been a lot of reviews about it being buggy and not UI friendly, so keep it in mind before buying it!
Price tag: $3~
Gourdlets
Gourdlets is a cute and easy sandbox game where you create your perfect community and then watch the gourdlets live in it. While it is not an “idle game” as we would traditionally think, you can go into window mode and have your gourdlets hang out on the bottom of your screen. I would say it’s a low focus game. You can build during a break, and watch the gourdlets hang out while you’re busy!
Price tag: $5~
Melvor Idle
Melvor Idle is an idle game inspired by the old RuneScape style of leveling and skill mastery. You can run it in the background and come back later to see your progress. It’s a cool pick if you want that classic RPG feeling but don’t have tons of time to spare, since you can just check in whenever it suits you.
Note: This game is not a desktop companion! You can have it on the background but it won’t be always sticking on your active window.
Price tag: $10~
Chillquarium
Chillquarium is about buying fish, collecting them, letting them grow, and/or selling them for profit. It’s simple but strangely soothing. You can keep it running, watch your fish swim around, and feel that calm mood whenever you glance at your screen. It’s a relaxing treat for fish lovers and collectors.
Note: not a sticky desktop companion either & free demo available for those who want to try before buying!
Price tag: $6~
Spirit City: Lofi Sessions
Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is more of a focus tool than a typical game. You decorate a small room, dress up your character, and enjoy chill music. This gentle companion helps you stay on track with tasks, blending productivity with a bit of creative fun. Think of it like a calming study buddy on your desktop.
Price tag: $12~
Minami Lane
Minami Lane is a simple management game where you take care of different residents each with their own preferences. It’s extra cute! You adjust menus and prices, trying to keep everyone happy. You can run it in a smaller window while you do other work, so it doesn’t demand all your attention. It has a cozy feel perfect for short breaks.
Price tag: $5~
NGU Idle
NGU Idle is an idle game that keeps things simple yet fun. You always feel like you’re working toward a new milestone. The art style is basic but in a nostalgic way, reminding me of classic computer games. The bosses have a playful twist, and the goofy story might not be for everyone, but I find it amusing. My favorite part is the clear stats screen, which lets me see how much progress I make even when I’m not at my computer. It’s a nice way to justify keeping the game running in the background!
Price tag: Free to Play
Tiny Pasture
Tiny Pasture will arrive on February 18. It’s all about adopting cute little animals, from rabbits and foxes to slimes (and even zombies!). They wander at the bottom of your screen while you do your own thing. If you like collecting all sorts of creatures and watching them interact without much fuss, you might love this sweet and quirky desktop game. The demo is available right now on Steam, and I can’t wait for the full release!
Price tag: TBA
Whimside
Whimside is another upcoming cute creator collector cozy desktop companion game. While it has no precise release date yet, it is planned for release in 2025! Just like Rusty’s Retirement, it will sit at the bottom of your screen, letting you enjoy your animals at all times. You can even breed your creatures and discover new ones!
Price tag: TBA
Bonus : Free Browser Idlers
Here are some recommendations of browser idle games! You can use them as desktop companions, and they’re free! They are not as cute as the games listed above, but they are for sure great companions.
- Paperclips – Produce paperclips. Always more paperclips!
- A Dark Room – A room, then a village, then expeditions, and more
- Candy Box – Eat the candies
Wrap Up
And there you have it: a bunch of friendly, easy-going games that can brighten your desktop or keep you entertained in small sessions. These games let you chill, multitask, and still see progress each time you check back in.
I hope this list helps you find your next background buddy or idle obsession. Go ahead, pick one that speaks to you, and enjoy a nice cozy time~
And if you want, you can check my other articles:
